This Was No Prisoner Exchange

No decent person can fail to be moved by the return of Gilad Shalit. Yet this deal ultimately represents a triumph of heart over head.

I have been watching on TV the drama unfold in Israel and Gaza as the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was released after five years in Hamas captivity in exchange for the release from Israeli prisons of more than 1000 Arab terrorists.

The first pictures of him in a brief interview on Egyptian TV were unsettling, even if not surprising: painfully thin, pale and with deeply sunken eyes, he looked very different from the smiling 19 year-old that became the iconic image of the campaign to secure his release.

Relief that he appears to be physically unharmed - he says he was treated well - must be tempered by concern for the psychological damage he may have suffered.

One can only hope (doubtless fruitlessly) that he will now be shielded from intrusive media attention to afford him the privacy he undoubtedly needs in which to start the long process of adjustment and recovery.

Shalit told his Egyptian TV interviewer that he hoped his release would further the peace efforts and help end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

What a burden this poor boy now carries from this deal with the devil that has been done to secure his release. But it will not bring about peace; indeed, one might even say that it marks the collapse of the ‘peace process’ and makes war even more likely.

For by making this deal with Hamas, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has effectively buried Fatah’s Mahmoud Abbas, already weakened by the failure of his UN ‘Palestine statehood’ stunt.

For Israel, that stunt marked the end of the illusion that Abbas was a genuine partner in any peace process. Now Hamas has been strengthened by this deal.

Jubilant Arabs are celebrating their released killers as returning heroes.

That is, to put it mildly, unfortunate; but now at least the illusion of a moderate Palestinian leadership is over. Israel has brought its hostage home; and now, with Hamas poised to relocate to an Egypt which is itself on the brink of descending into Islamic radicalism, Israel faces squarely the true face of genocidal Arab rejectionism.

Nothing illustrates this better than the obscene joy which has erupted in both Gaza and the West Bank, where jubilant Arabs are celebrating their released killers as returning heroes.

This was how the so-called ‘moderate’ Mahmoud Abbas addressed the murderers of Jewish innocents at a mass welcoming ceremony for the released prisoners:

‘Your sacrifice and hard work were not in vain... We thank God for your return and your safety...You are freedom fighters and holy warriors for the sake of God and the homeland.’

Hamas is also presenting as heroes to cheering Gazan crowds the terrorists in charge of guarding Shalit during his time in captivity:

‘Shalit's captors will take the stage alongside the freed prisoners during the Gaza celebrations to be held upon their return to the Strip.

The released prisoners will be first received by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, government ministers, Legislative Council members and other figures. Next, the detainees would meet with relatives.

One of the freed prisoners is Muhammad Zufi, who assisted Shalit's abductors in videotaping the abduction operation.'

According to Israeli opinion polls, the deal has overwhelming Israeli public support.

But away from the mainstream media which has been gloating over its role in creating the public pressure for such a deal to be done, an anguished debate has nevertheless been under way for days now about the terrible price Israel has paid for the release of this one soldier and the incalculable consequences of such a deal.

It is not merely the grossly disproportionate numbers involved, which no other country in the world would even contemplate for one moment. It is the fact that the deal declares in effect that terrorism works.

It is the fact that trading one innocent life for more than 1000 guilty lives hands a sickening victory to terrorists, making it much more likely that they will kidnap more soldiers to trade for yet more jailed murderers.

This deal makes it almost inevitable that yet more Israeli families will end up mourning the loss of loved ones.

It is the fact that this deal makes it almost inevitable that yet more Israeli families will end up mourning the loss of loved ones who will be murdered as a result by Palestinian terrorism.

It is the fact that it underscores the shattering weakness of the Israel Defence Force in having failed to rescue Shalit during the five years he was held.

What has happened, many Israelis are asking themselves, to the country that produced the daring and heroic raiders of Entebbe who managed to defy all odds in rescuing Israeli hostages from a hijacked plane?

And at a deeper level still, it is the fact that an obscene moral equivalence has been established by this deal between the innocent and the guilty.

This equivalence is being played out in the coverage which describes the deal as a ‘prisoner swap’ or ‘prisoner exchange’ – more than 1000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails for one Israeli prisoner held by Hamas.

But Shalit was a hostage, kidnapped in an act of illegal aggression by an organization whose aim is the destruction of Israel and which allowed him not one visit by the Red Cross during his five year incarceration.

By contrast, the released Palestinians have not just been tried and punished according to due process of law, but include among their number not just those who have committed some of the worst terrorist atrocities in Israel’s history - such as the blowing up of Sbarro’s pizza restaurant in Jerusalem, where 16 people were murdered including five members of the Schijveschuurder family - but even worse, some of the masterminds behind such atrocities.

Some families who have lost loved ones in these terror attacks have welcomed the deal; they say they did not want the Shalit family to suffer as they themselves have suffered. But for other families bereaved by these murders, the anguish is unbearable.

Watching the murderers of their loved ones walk free to a rapturous reception in Gaza and the West Bank and listening to their gloating satisfaction at having taken the lives of Israeli innocents, these families feel as if they have been brutally abandoned by a society for which justice cannot be allowed to get in the way of emotion.

For these suffering relatives, it is almost as if today they are being forced to endure yet another bereavement.

But then, the equivalence being drawn in the coverage of this deal reflects in turn the morally bankrupt ‘tit-for-tat’ analysis of the Arab war against Israel employed by so many in Britain and the west.

For whenever Israel points out that any military action against the Palestinians is only in response to Palestinian attacks, many in Britain claim that those Palestinian attacks were only in response to previous Israeli attacks. Thus Israel is always painted as the ultimate aggressor.

This is entirely false. From the moment Israel was re-established in 1948, it has only ever launched military operations against the Arabs in response to actual or imminent Arab attacks. Yet many in Britain refuse to acknowledge the difference between murderous aggression and the defense against it.

They refuse to acknowledge that Hamas sets out to murder as many young Israelis as possible, whereas Israel goes to great lengths (not always successfully) to avoid civilian casualties.

They refuse to acknowledge that the aim of every single military operation by Israel in Gaza is to defend and protect itself against attack by a fanatically Jew-hating enemy pledged not only to destroy Israel but to wipe out every single Jew on earth.

The refusal to acknowledge this crucial moral difference has meant that many in Britain and the west view Israel as the aggressor in the conflict, and the victimization of Israelis is largely glossed over.

So just as the anguish of Israeli terror victims’ families over the Shalit deal has been minimized by the media coverage – particularly in Israel itself, which reflects the malign nature of its own left-wing media class -- so the anguish of Israel itself as a state under permanent existential siege is routinely ignored, and Israel instead grotesquely portrayed as the aggressor in the region.

What too many in Britain and west still don’t understand is that what Israel is up against is what Britain and the west are now up against – not a violent campaign by people fighting for a state of their own but an Islamist cult of death, in which the murder of innocents is a cause for exultation and mass killers are lionized as heroes and religious martyrs, not just by Hamas but by the Fatah leadership in the West Bank too.

The five-year Shalit drama and its disturbing resolution have therefore come to symbolize the toxic cocktail of ignorance, misunderstanding, naivety, malice, cowardice, cynicism, incompetence and moral muddle by the so-called civilized world - including Israel itself - that has actually served to perpetuate the Middle East impasse.

No decent person can fail to be moved by the return of Gilad Shalit to Israel. Few eyes will have been dry at his reunion with his family. Yet it has to be said that ultimately, this deal represents a triumph of heart over head and sentimentality over realism.

The Shalit family did what many of us hope we would have done in similar circumstances – fought a tenacious and brilliant campaign to sustain public pressure on the government to secure their son’s release.

It was, however, emotional blackmail – and the Israel government should have resisted it. Shalit came to be regarded as every Israeli’s son.

Tragically, however, in the years to come Israel may come to realize that it paid for the life of Gilad Shalit with the blood of further murdered Israelis and the lifelong torment of their families.

Yet no-one should underestimate the extreme difficulty of the decision Netanyahu was forced to take in this case.

However Netanyahu resolved the Shalit dilemma, it would have been a terrible decision.

As so often in Israel, he was between a rock and a very hard place. However he resolved the Shalit dilemma, it would have been a terrible decision.

For Jews, the diabolical nature of this kind of choice – weighing up the sacrifice of one of your own against the sacrifice of others of your own– has a terrible historical resonance.

For during the Holocaust, a particularly sadistic torment inflicted by the Nazis upon their Jewish victims was to force them to choose which of their children or loved ones to sacrifice in order to save others from gas or bullet.

The Holocaust happened because the world looked the other way until it was too late. It abandoned the Jews to meet their fate and be forced to make these infernal choices alone. And now the world is abandoning Israel to meet its fate and be forced to make these infernal choices alone.

Sure, America helps arm Israel in order that it may defend itself against otherwise insuperable odds. But at the same time, the west forces Israel to remain trapped in a permanent war that the west ensures Israel cannot win.

For Israel’s fate is to live cheek by jowl with people pledged to destroy it. Armed to the teeth, Israel will however never unleash its full military power against those people because it is constrained by Jewish ethics.

The result is that it deals more scrupulously and humanely with its mortal enemies - and takes more punishment as a result - than any other nation on earth.

The Arabs know this and take full advantage of it, launching attacks in order to present Israel with the choice between abandoning its own victims - as has effectively largely happened in the rocket-bombarded south of Israel - and taking military action, which will inevitably result in some civilian casualties and thus not only earn the opprobrium of the double-standard applying world but, more lethally, destroy Israel’s own belief in itself.

To their eternal shame, Britain and the west have allowed themselves to be manipulated by this cynical strategy in the cause of genocide.

These false friends leap to defame, demonize and delegitimize Israel by denouncing its military actions as illegal, aggressive or disproportionate – thus in effect trying to paralyze its attempts to defend itself against attack, while simultaneously forcing it to surrender to its enemies through the appeasement process.

The outcome is that Israel is now trapped between Hamas, Fatah, Hezbollah, Iran, Syria, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea – and yet is blamed for preventing peace by building apartments in the suburbs of Jerusalem.

The infernal choice it was forced to make over Gilad Shalit was thus but the latest and most dramatic example of how the west has abandoned Israel to swing in the wind.

This article originally appeared in Melanie Phillips' blog at dailymail.co.uk

About the Author

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 75

(59)
Bertrand ESCAFFRE,
December 26, 2012 12:18 PM

Price of Life

Shalom, ... When the world loses a Jude, the world loses 1 000 men

(58)
Mary,
November 1, 2011 10:57 AM

Happy for the release of Gilat Shalit

I am happy to see the release of Gilat Shalit. I read some months ago from Aish News that he was captured. It was so moving indeed to the parents of a young man. When praying for Israel as a Nation could also remember him. i give all the glory to God for Gilat who is alive! This is good news.

(57)
Steve Skeete,
November 1, 2011 12:33 AM

The value of a Jewish soldier

The decision to exchange one man for a thousand others was obviously not an easy one, but it was immensely profound. The exchange said that the life of an Israeli soldier - a defender of freedom and democracy, and the frontline against aggression and tyranny, is invaluable. Neither Hamas nor its operatives seem to understand what they have just said to Israel and the world. With a united voice they told us what a high regard they have for Israeli soldiers, and what their think their own fighters are worth. Is there any Arab in Israeli captivity, or captive anywhere in the world who is worthy of being exchanged for one Israeli soldier? Both Hamas and Fatah say a resounding no. In other words their people are just not on par. Those who fight for Hamas and Fatah either do not know or do not care that they have been insulted and denigrated. No wonder they are so suicidal!

(56)
Anonymous,
October 29, 2011 7:36 PM

Open Your Eyes!

Let's take a step back and loop up. Look around and see the big picture here instead of reacting only to individual situations as they arise.
The way Yisrael is being used in this entire orchestration is very disturbing. Years ago the US State Dept. began meeting with and funding the Egyptian, Ahmed Maher who got the the "Arab Spring" in Egypt up & running initially. Now he's advising those in OWS.(Google : US State Dept agitator advising Occupy movement).
The US worked in conjuction with their supposed "mortal enemy" in the "war of terror", Al Qaeda to overthrow a nation's leader with which they weren't even at war, all under the auspices of "humanitarian aid". This caused the further endangerment the state of Yisrael (Google US Government back libyan Al Qaeda while hyping terror) who now must deal with more mulsim radicals in charge next door. It's a little thing they call "problem, reaction solution".
The name of the game is to create instability, gain control of resources and use Yisrael in any way possible. Empowered radicals and instability (hence Egypt,and Libya in particular) accomplish these goals, putting Israel in danger.
Creating this instability and giving foreign aid to Israel or any other nation is nothing more than a means of control which is just one reason the founders of the United States were largely against it.
Am Yisrael Chai!

(55)
Larry,
October 28, 2011 11:04 PM

On the other hand..

The author makes a very good argument against the deal to regain the freedom of Gilad Schalit. However--the good it has accomplished should not be dismissed so easily. While it is perfectly understandable why Israelis should be very concerned about the release of so many murderers, it was that same act that got the respect from so many people I've talked to about it here in the US. The US is not Great Britain, and the vast majority of Americans are on the side of Israel in their conflict with the Palestinians. It is because we do understand the differences between the two parties, and each time Israel acts in a way that highlights those differences, the respect we all have grows. So yes, it is horrendous that Israel had to turn loose so many murderers to get back Schalit, but in the final analyses, that is why Israel will triumph--it demonstrates by it's actions that it is in the right.

(54)
Anonymous,
October 28, 2011 5:41 PM

ELECTRIC CHAIR FOR TERRORISTS & THEIR ACCOMPLICES

ELECTRIC CHAIR FOR TERRORISTS AND COLD BLOODED MURDERERS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE AND ANYONE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING OR FACILITATING TERRORISM.

(53)
Chana,
October 26, 2011 8:26 PM

Israel has won!

Israel has shown that it stands for life in the most powerful way. The released terrorists will attempt to harm us, but the future is in Hashem's hands. The deal for Gilad Shalit shows our faith and also our capacity for empathy with another family; it shows the highest humanity. That the majority of Israelis supported the deal demonstrates their true character. Others throughout the world who have the capacity to understand this will not fail to be moved. We should all be proud of this Kiddush Hashem.

(52)
Marty,
October 26, 2011 7:53 PM

Exchange rate

Well, the Moslem terrorists have set the exchange rate. One Moslem is worth less than 1/1,000th the value of 1 Jew. Now, for every Jew they murder...
I agree with Ben Plonie. Dip the bullets in lard, and when they next attack... and they will... let them pay the price they themselves have established. It seems to be the only thing they respect, or understand.
And if there any decent Moslems out there (and there probably are) who don't agree with mindless hate for Jews and the Jewish state of Israel, it is time you gathered up your courage and start opposing the haters among your people. I know that that is risky, but if you do not stand up to them, you will likely be seen as one of them. We would still rather be friends than enemies, but we will not consent to dying for YOUR religious beliefs.
My fellow Jews, take heart. There may be more than a billion Moslems in the world, most of whom seem to profess hatred for us. But remember, by their own valuation, for every one of us there are still less than 1,000 of them. So stand true to our Jewish principles, our Torah principles, and do not fear those who hate us. To save a life is as though you have saved a whole world. So welcome back, Gilad.
And to those Moslems, and others, who choose to worship death, please, feel free to die.
We are Jews. We choose life.

(51)
Nat's daughter,
October 26, 2011 12:38 PM

take the gloves off

Now that Gilad is home and Israel will be exchanging another Israeli for 25 Egyptians, take the gloves off dear Israel. Dip your bulletts, missiles and all armaments in pig blood and let 'er rip! The savages are salivating and getting ready to attack. Dear G-D, it is long overdue for Israel to protect it's citizens and the Jewish homeland by whatever means necessary. I know they're able but sure hope they're willing to use their military might. Forget about "world opinion" and the UN!!!

(50)
Ben Plonie,
October 26, 2011 4:34 AM

What Netanyahu Could Still Do

None of which needs Arab cooperation or acceptance.
1) Unconditionally free all Jewish security prisoners. Period.
2) Adopt a 'take no prisoners' policy, at least for non-Israeli terrorists. It is time to end the farce that these people are civilians for one thing and are entitled to Israeli civil rights for another. I.E. no arrests, no investigations, no trials, no sentencing, no maintenance and amenities in prisonb, no visitation.
The only way to prevent this from ever happening again is for the word to get out. Terrorists check in to Israel but don't check out. They disappear. They may be evil but they are not that stupid.
If Israel sees any of these creatures again, their families never see them again. No embedded journalists, no lawyers, no press releases, no statements, no news reports.
3) Coat every bullet, tank and helicoptor shell, cluster bomb etc. with Silver Bullet Gun Oil made with liquefied pig fat. At this time, terrorists have a motivation to die in their cause. Tha motivation will be eliminated.

Nezach,
October 27, 2011 10:32 AM

Ben Plomie is Right

Ben Plonie, I am sure, must now convince Israeli government policy of his wisdom to have terrorists disappear and no prison sentence in Israel, of course.

(49)
Syd,
October 25, 2011 7:54 PM

The most tragic fact.
A problem without a solution(SOF)

(48)
John Smith,
October 25, 2011 7:52 PM

The anti-Semitic Guardian/BBC and their followers do not speak for the British people. I am ashamed of them.

(47)
Stan Corbett,
October 25, 2011 7:46 PM

Terrorists Have Won

Terrorists have won.
When something like this happens again, Israel should send in troops to Gaza and the West Bank. The world hates us regardless whether we are silent or use force against the Moslem terrorists.

(46)
Anonymous,
October 25, 2011 12:57 PM

Interesting how well fed, healthy and happy the Palestinian prisoners looked

It is interesting how healthy and well fed the Palestinians prisoners looked when released from Israeli jails. Shalit on the other hand looked sick and quiet. It seems obvious which side treats prisoners better. The exchange of 1: 1000 indicates to me why it took 5 years.It certainly does not appear to be a ratio bargained hard by Israel.

(45)
Anonymous,
October 25, 2011 12:52 PM

Sadly this is the reality that not enough states in the thinking world, have come to understand

One can benefit even from the most frightening pf realities.Ready oneself to become informed,prepared ,whatever it takes and be determined to face up to the task.The challenge of being a decent human being amongst cynical people who are conscienceless, is by no means easy,but like Jonah ,we cannot renege on one's humanity.This is the task of all.In this instance it is particularly a Jewish challenge. Why are there so many Jews who seem to support our sworn maligners???

(44)
Solomo9z So9,
October 25, 2011 12:02 PM

Who is right?

Freedom of Gilad is a blessing upon the Jews, We must tell the world about the truth that the holy land of Israel belongs to the Jews not to the Arabs, they have no right to occupy even an inch of this holy land and they must be pushed to the Saudi Arabia and other Arabian countries,their religion is based on Mekkah, not Israel, we must ask them that if they hate us and playing a propaganda role against the Jews all the time, why they like Israel's neighborhood then???? The biggest problem of the history which Jews are facing is, that they are not ready "even now" to come to the Holy land, leaving their homes from various parts of the Globe, they are waiting for MOSHIACH, before taking the decision, and, the history is not willing to send the MOSHIACH their before the Jews agree to sacrifice to end the exile and suffering of thousand of years.

(43)
cecile,
October 25, 2011 12:46 AM

really brilliant analysis

Thanks

(42)
Linda,
October 25, 2011 12:16 AM

I never could understand why Israel does not scream out to the west regarding these injustices. Why couldn't Israel make this same point in the western media, why couldn't the deal be forced to have been made through Abbas rather than Hamas and have the world see that Abbas does not have control. Why is the media so blind? Why does Israel not demand the western media to read and publicize the Hamas charter where they do not accept the existance of a state of Israel. Why does no one really talk about what is written in the Koran which I am reading and there is nothing peaceful in it regarding anyone who is not Islamic. Is there any way to make the west wake up?

(41)
Eric,
October 24, 2011 6:26 PM

A deal with the...

It would seem to be "a deal with the Devil." But the Devil loses in the end... Hang in there Children of Israel! You'll get yours - Shalom, that is. May it be today.

(40)
Anonymous,
October 24, 2011 12:07 PM

An excellent assessment. I wish this is published in all major newspapers in the west.

(39)
Nathalie,
October 24, 2011 9:12 AM

There is one thing I badly missed

and that is that no one thanked the Almighty for Gilad's n"y release. It would have been a huge Kidush Hashem if those involved would have said something like, "Be'ezrat Hashem, we have brought Gilad home." No doubt that Hakadosh Baruch Hu shall take care of the released terrorists; Israeli prison is way too comfortable for those cursed animals.

twila,
October 25, 2011 8:40 AM

right?!

so true!! G-d not mentioned ANYWHERE!! unbelievable.. and that's the difference between entebbe and today..

(38)
Anonymous,
October 24, 2011 7:09 AM

Murderers must be executed immediately.

How ironic, in such a well-done, intelligent article, to encounter reference to the released prisoners having been "tried and punished by due process of law." True Jewish law, of course, mandates the speedy execution of terrorists or of any one who murders even one Jew. Beyond the simple logic and justice that would thus be served, kidnapping our soldiers for negotiation purposes would be rendered pointless.

(37)
Anonymous,
October 24, 2011 5:48 AM

Excellent article and very well-written

Excellent article and very well-written; this should be published in all the Western media

(36)
Mindy,
October 24, 2011 5:02 AM

This article outlines the facts, but we get to decide our attitude.

Ms. Phillips did an excellent job of presenting the facts about this exchange. It must have been a very hard choice for the Israeli government to make. And there are many people who have looked at this as a very dangerous thing to have done.
When my husband started to go down that path, I looked him straight in the eye and said "Millions of people all over the world want to kill me, and I don't even live in Israel. Another 1000 is just a drop in the bucket."
We must never forget that when we make a decision that is according to Torah - and the return of a captive is certainly something the Torah condones - that the rest of the problem will disappear. For this was only a test. And by bringing Gilad Shalit out of darkness into light and out of captivity and back to his homeland, I believe Israel passed that test.

(35)
Anonymous,
October 23, 2011 11:11 PM

AM SO GLAD PRAYER WAS ANSWERED &

YES, I AM GLAD THIS PRAYER WAS ANSWERED AND MY OTHER PRAYER WILL BE TOO! GOD OF AVRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB WILL TAKE CARE OF THE THOUSAND. REMEMBER, HE SAID A THOUSAND WILL FALL BY YOUR SIDE AND 10,000 AT YOUR RIGHT HAND! BLESSED BE THE LORD G-D ALMIGHTY-YOU ARE NOT, "NOT" IN THIS ALONE! I'D RATHER HAVE NO COUNTRY AND ALL OF G-D! BLESS ISRAEL AND GILAD AND FAMILY AND JERUSALEM....SHALOM FOREVER...I LOVE YOU ISRAEL! WISDOM WAS DONE IF YOU ASKED FOR IT PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU AND WE PRAY FOR YOU ALL THE TIME. WE LOVE YOU!

(34)
Robert Meyer,
October 23, 2011 10:28 PM

A mistake

I have children who have lived in Israel and joined the military. I will not allow anymore to do this. The government has put the Israeli military in jeopardy by dealing with murderers. Hamas has decreed that one Israeli is worth 1000 Palastinians Sounds a little low to me

Anonymous,
October 25, 2011 8:52 AM

i agree

i totally agree.. i would love to make aliyah, and always believed i'd be proud to send my kids into idf to fight for G-d and country- but now i have a very realistic fear for every soldier, male and female who stand in their uniform wherever they may be...

(33)
Inna Terry,
October 23, 2011 10:05 PM

Thank you for the article!

I would like to express my gratitude for the most impartial and comprehensive article by Melanie Phillips.
God bless Israel!

(32)
Linda C.,
October 23, 2011 9:49 PM

Right-on Article

This article was superb and so true. I feel one of the countries that seems to be giving the best support is Canada and not the leadership of the U.S. However, among the Christians of the U.S. I would say there are a large number of us very in love with Israel and giving full support. I also fear for the future and do not understand why such a deal has to happen to get back dear soldier Shalit. I feel that it should be one for one not thousands for one as that just doesn't make sense. I also do not understand when the IDF was in Gaza why this soldier could not be "found" and rescued. I have that much confidence in the IDF and your undercover people. I do feel the U.S. has given more support than Britain, but let's remember that Britain also approved Shar'iah law and like much of Europe has been taken over by Islam to a large extent. Britain is the one who made the mess in not giving the "Palestinians" (there are no true ones as wiped out years ago but Romans gave these Arabs that name) the land they had been occupying which was Trans-Jordan (now Jordan) and perhaps parts of Syria's area. Instead they decided they should be located in Israel so that's where a lot of the blame should be put. However, as in the U.S. all peoples live side by side and don't ask for their own country within our country, the Palestinians should do the same and just be good citizens of Israel as they would all then reap the benefits that Israel gives to its citizens, as they do now (which they will lose if separate State or let's face it, country.

(31)
Jaysonrex,
October 23, 2011 9:45 PM

Don't jump to conclusion!

Maybe it was not the triumph of the heart over the head, but rather of the head over … the head.
As a result of this so-called exchange, Hamas will feel quite proud of its achievement and will eventually demand that itself, rather than Fatah, should represent the Palestinians in their "negotiations" with Israel. Fatah will, of course, refuse and the fight between the two factions will resume "full speed". The chances for a true reconciliation between them is infinitely smaller that making peace with the Israelis.
We must be patient and see how act 2, followed by 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. and etc., of this endless soap opera will play out. Maybe they will fight each other until only one Palestinian is left standing. Then maybe the Israelis can talk peace, again, with whoever the hero will be. Who knows?
.

(30)
magen,
October 23, 2011 8:13 PM

gilat

i things that it was very hard for a yong boy to be prisonner and every day to thing if tomorow he will be alive or not it is very cruel of the palestinian i hope that il will be a end an that it is not the war but crime contre l'humanité

(29)
Ann Brady,
October 23, 2011 7:37 PM

G-D Help Us All

Melanie Phillips, thank you for a superbly written article. WW II only seemed to end, while its vilest battle against the Jews - and HaShem - continues.

(28)
Jshannon,
October 23, 2011 7:33 PM

Well written!

I believe a key is for Israel to educate is own in a non-violent manner. The most destructive aspect of Israel's plight is a lack of solidarity amongst it's own people. While it is jaw dropping and infuriating to encounter so many misguided, naive and self-hating Israelis wagging their finger at the IDF, we must appeal to any logical side of them; to their intellectual integrity for those that have it.
We can no longer negotiate with terrorists. We must have a government that understands this and that sends this message unambiguously. Israelis that take the future of the country seriously MUST stop reacting with astonishment and fury and START ORGANIZING.

(27)
Dina,
October 23, 2011 7:32 PM

For the families of the victims of these released terrorists

The families involved should now get together for a meeting, put their heads together and figure out plans to hunt down and exterminate these terrorists. This is the only real justice and closure these families can have, and certainly deserve. Who better than the families of the victims to carry this out? Let a few of these executions take place, and the Arabs will know that Jewish blood is not so cheap, after all! They will also know that their so-called big heroes are being hunted down and killed like the wild beasts that they are, and that's the way it will be with every single Arab terrorist. We have to be cruel and brutal with such brutal beasts, there is no other way!

Anonymous,
October 24, 2011 3:20 AM

i like that comment!

Those 1000 don't deserve to live and wouldn't it be nice if it were as easy as the movie I love called; NCIS where this girl "ZIVA DAVID" IS MOSSAUD! IT'S NOT THAT EASY THOUGH. I HOPE GILAD HAS A HUGE FAMILY THAT CAN INVADE THEM TO GET BACK AT THEM FOR THE OTHER FAMILIES THAT HAD TO LOSE THEIR SONS TO THE SAME THING. BUT AS I'VE SAID BEFORE THEIR LIVES WILL BE SHORT FOR SOMEHOW THEY WILL GET WHAT IS DUE THEM. IT IS BETTER TO "TAKE NO PRISIONERS"! THEN ISRAEL WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO GIVE THEM BACK. THEY ARE ARE DISGUSTING RACE OF PEOPLE THAT HATE PEACE & IF THEY DID DRIVE ISRAEL OFF THE EARTH (WHICH G-D PROMISED THEY WILL NOT DO) BUT IF THEY DID-THEY WOULD STILL BE UNHAPPY & JUST KILL EACH OTHER ANYWAY-THEY ARE REPROBATES HEADED FOR HELL.

(26)
Rami de Lieme,
October 23, 2011 7:03 PM

You are 100% correct, but..........

These Arabs are terrorists, but that is not how they see themselves. Its not just Islamaic fanatism. Maybe we have passed the point of no return, but If we cannot understand why they are doing this we cannot be a real peace partner either.

(25)
Judith,
October 23, 2011 6:42 PM

no fear for the nations no self hate - real Thora values

If we would trust in G´d and respect ourselves for being his agents or earth, we would not be afraid to defend ourselves without sacrificing even one of our soldiers. Our sages of blessed memory taught that "If someone has mercy on the cruel, at the end he will be cruel to the merciful." (Shmuel I Chapter 15)
I think that this saying sais everything. No further comment needed. Let just follow the ways of the Tora. All the ways of Tora are peace.

(24)
Kerry,
October 23, 2011 6:24 PM

Israel must amend its capital punishment law!

Many, many more will suffer because of this deal.

(23)
Marlene Josephs,
October 23, 2011 5:52 PM

What goes round, comes round

As Britain and the West continue to paint Israel in the corner, the rest of the world will come, very soon I regret to say, to rue the day that they did this. For history has repeatedly shown us time and again, that the Jews, and now the State of Israel, is always the canary in the coal mine. Whatever happens to the Jews today will happen to the rest of the nations tomorrow. Don't mark my words...look at history.

(22)
Mickey Davis,
October 23, 2011 5:43 PM

Gilad Shalit is a symbol of everything that is wrong with Islam and its terrorist objectives.

When will the world realize that it is the Muslims, the terrorists as well as the silent abettors, who are the perpetrators of this evil battle against humanity?

(21)
Mark Leaman,
October 23, 2011 5:24 PM

We had to pay a high price for a Jewish Life

I understand the pain what those families are going through that lost love ones in terrorist acts but do those families understand the pain that Gilad Shalit was going through and what his family was going through.
We can mourn every day for them and every year we say kaddish for them and all that is left are their memories that we don't forget, but life is also important to save a life is one of the highest mitzvoth and that's what Bibi Netanyahu done, even if you believe it was for rating he done a tremendous mitzvah by bringing Gilad Shalit back home.
The next terrorist act all those against bringing Gilad Shalit will blame the government but ask yourselves would there not have been one even with out the release of Gilad.
Did the murder of the Fogel Family happen because of Gilad.
Lets face it Israel will always have terrorist attack until we have true peace.
As for kidnapping other soldiers then we have to change the law and not take prisoners and bring back the death penalty then there will be no one to bargain for.
As for going into to bring Gilad out, then you have short memories, we tried that with Nachshon Wachsman and came back with a dead body.

Shimi,
October 24, 2011 12:45 AM

You could not have said it better!!! Thank you!

(20)
Steve,
October 23, 2011 5:03 PM

Bravo Israel !

Most non-Jews support Israel for agreeing to a difficult deal with blood-thirsty terrorists to free Gilad Shalid, for over 1000 terrorists. We support the Jewish people, with their God given right to the land of Israel of over 3000 years. We must now be prepared to do what we can to protect Isreal, and others, from evil, irrespective of the costs.

(19)
Anonymous,
October 23, 2011 4:45 PM

No one will tell me that God didn't smile at Gilad Shalit's release.

The release of Gilad Shalit spoke volumes to those of us in the west and around the world. It said to this war weary world, that to Israel one of theirs is worth a thousand of their enemies. How precious is the knowledge that Israel will always choose humanity over hostility knowing others would perceive the decision as weakness. Once again ISRAEL shows the world it has its priorities in order and its word, whether given to friend or foe, is as valuable as gold!

(18)
Joseph Dalezman,
October 23, 2011 4:44 PM

An insult to Arabs worldwide

I disagree that the exchange for Shalit was heart over the rational brain. It seems to me it clearly says one Jew is worth more than 1027 Arabs. If I were an Arab I would be insulted. In their mind set ti should be the reverse. Clearly the Arab mindset is set on self deprecation.

(17)
Anonymous,
October 23, 2011 4:27 PM

right to Israel

as a non-jew who has a keen interest in Israel, my thoughts are you did what you had to do to save Gilad and I think that whatever it takes to protect and defend Israel and in my opinion the country should be totally occupied by Jews is where the focus is now and in the future! The Palastinians should have been absorbed by the surrounding Arab countries since that is what usually happens with refugees who have lost a war and to my limited knowledge they were give a homeland in Jordan, why are they not living there? they have control over some religious sites that should be under the Isralie government. There are a lot of people who agree with what you have to do to protect your population and I am one of them.

(16)
Tuvia Dovid,
October 23, 2011 4:27 PM

Nothing new here and little worthwhile

For all the gratuitous and worthless media bashing (to adapt an old principle of political science, sooner or later a society gets the media it deserves), there is nothing in this bilious handwringing that has not previously been carried in more balanced news reports and opinion pieces by Reuters, BBC, AP, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, Yediot Acharonot and dozens of other agencies. A Hobson's choice is a Hobson's choice. As for the death penalty for terrorists as suggested by a number of readers, come on, get real. There seem to be no end of terrorist fanatics who are willing if not eager to blow themselves up any time and place where they think they can take one or more Israelis with them, so how would a threat of execution be a deterrent? Aish can do better, not the least by presenting ideas drawn from Torah such as the righteousness and strategic thinking of Avraham Avinu and the rodef shalom/pursual of peace by Aharon HaCohen.

(15)
Jerry,
October 23, 2011 4:23 PM

He should have been rescued long ago

One sentence in the article hits the crux of the matter: "It is the fact that it underscores the shattering weakness of the Israel Defence Force in having failed to rescue Shalit during the five years he was held." Israel had every reason to to take military action to rescue Shalit. Its failure to do so underlies all the hand-wringing and discomfort today.

(14)
Tonny Grey,
October 23, 2011 4:06 PM

This was not a lopsided transaction. Israel is saying to the world "One Israeli is worth more than a thousand arab terrorists"

(13)
Arye,
October 23, 2011 3:52 PM

SUBSTITUTION

Substitute "Kurds" and "PKK" for "Arabs" and "Hamas" and "Turkey" and "Turks" for "Israel" and "Jews" and then let it be read in Turkey for them to get a true understanding of the situation.

(12)
Anonymous,
October 23, 2011 3:39 PM

The world will be on Israel's side when they too suffer atrocities.

Melanie Phillips, as usual, sums up the difficult position Israel is in. These are ongoing premeditated murderous actions that the Muslims' revel in. Now, of couse, they see fit to take whatever action they can UNLESS the World Helps Israel, and in so doing, themselves.

(11)
Anonymous,
October 23, 2011 3:34 PM

Simple Solution

The solution to this problem is so simple, that it takes a democracy to be unable to apply it. Convicted terrorists need to get the death penalty. Let there be no motivation for additional soldier kidnappings.

(10)
Brynn Sugarman,
October 23, 2011 3:30 PM

The Death Penalty

As an Israeli mother of a soldier, I supported the swap, as Gilad could very well have been my own son, and I empathized completely with the Shalits' pain. This love of the individual for his own sake is what makes Israel unique, and the polar opposite of our enemies, for whom each individual has no value beyond cannon fodder. Now that the swap is over, and Hamas is threatening to kidnap more soldiers in order to repeat the events of the past week, it is time for Israel to wise up and implement a death penalty for terrorists. It boggles my mind that this is not at the forefront of public discourse, yet I believe it has a consensus, and that I am in the "silent majority." No more Israeli soldiers will be kidnapped if there is nobody left of value to Hamas in Israeli jails. It is that simple. We are speaking of cold-blooded murderers: a death penalty would not only serve as a worthy deterrent but it would mean that justice is finally served. Gilad himself would not have been kidnapped if true justice had been served from the start and terrorists immediately disposed of. The murderer of the Fogels has confessed and remains unrepentant. I say that he should be the first to ascend the gallows.

andrea,
October 23, 2011 4:08 PM

Amen!

Kol haKavod for these sentiments...

(9)
Tracy,
October 23, 2011 3:30 PM

L'Chaim

It is my understanding that, as Jews, life is our highest value. We valued this life over all potential concerns. This is what makes us different than thew. Welcome home Gilad and l'chaim.

Anonymous,
October 23, 2011 5:24 PM

Short sited

Terrorists that have been released have a record of going back to terrorism, so chances are that more people are going to get killed as a result of this than the one life that has been saved- your reply appears to be a bit simple for the situations. of course everyone is happy that Gilad is home, the question is the price that was paid for it

Joe,
October 23, 2011 6:10 PM

Sorry, life is not the highest value

Judaism certainly values life very highly, but there is one thing that we give our life for, called the Sanctification of God's name. That is a higher value.

Moshe,
October 23, 2011 8:05 PM

According to halacha

According to halacha, in a case of a threat to life, it is acceptable to enter into such an exchange in order to bring back the captive. I wonder if a posek was consulted to see if Melanie Phillips article was in accordance with halacha or not??!!!!

Basya,
October 24, 2011 9:39 AM

Was a posek consulted to see if the deal was in accordance with halacha?

It would have been more important for a posek to have been consulted to see if the deal was in accordance with halacha, than this article.
I have a suspicial that the Maharam m'Rottenberg would have poskened that it was not. See http://www.aish.com/jw/me/48924327.html and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meir_of_Rothenburg
According to halacha, it is NOT ALWAYS acceptable to enter into such an exchange to bring back the captive.

(8)
Judy,
October 23, 2011 3:20 PM

All I can say to the Israili people that opposed what their ELECTED Prime Minister has done in this exchange of prisioners, is that they should go deep down into their heart of hearts and decide what their decision would be if it was about THEIR son, brother, father or any other relitive of theirs!!

(7)
Monika Kaufmann,
October 23, 2011 3:16 PM

difference

Gilad Shalit looking pale and frail brings back the memories of all those who were freed from Hitler's concentration camps, whereas the criminals released from Israeli prisons look like coming home from a holiday, that's the difference.

Tracy Marcano,
October 23, 2011 3:32 PM

Values

That is more about what makes us different than them.

(6)
laura,
October 23, 2011 3:12 PM

Haftorah Parshas Bresheis: "redeem the captive"

Please read the Haftorah for parshas Bresheis: G-d commands us to redeem THE captive, not 'a' captive - the Neviim are G-d's Word to man. It's time Jews learned, understood and embraced the Books of the Prophets - better then our Christian brothers. If we understood the Prophets were preserved for OUR generation, we would take the writings seriously and follow the messages given to us by G-d. We are nothing more then arrogant not to do so.

(5)
vardah littmann,
October 23, 2011 3:05 PM

Dear Melanie, You are leaving HaSh-m out of the picture!

Was it the great might of the Israeli army that freed the prisoners of the Entebee?
Why be a doom-sayer ? If we do HaSh-m Will then on matter how many terrorists there are they will not be able to harm us.

(4)
Anonymous,
October 23, 2011 2:41 PM

I would like this article to be published by Toronto Star. Most of the outsite of Israel population do not care about Jews, and do not want to know the truth about the political situation in the Meddle East and solely rely on MEDIA which not surprisingly taking pre-arab site.

(3)
Sharon,
October 23, 2011 2:01 PM

My own survey is a bit different

First of all most people I spoke to (here in Israel) were far from happy with the deal. Many like myself were very unhappy indeed. I was greatly relieved to see that Shalit was in relatively good condition, but aside from that I and others I spoke with were quite disturbed by the deal. Possibly the poll exaggerated the true number of Israelis supporting it because it was already signed and people were resigned to it not wishing to be negative about what could not be changed.

(2)
Alan S.,
October 23, 2011 12:25 PM

As always, a brilliant article by Ms. Phillips. However, it is simply an unfair to say that the Shalit situation represents a big fall for the Israel defense forces as compared to rescuing hostages from a hijacked plane sitting on a tarmac in Entebbe . If Shalit's hiding place was known, you can bet that a rescue attempt would have been made.

Israel,
October 23, 2011 3:02 PM

yes, they knew.

There are many that say that the Shin Bet actually knew where Shalit was captured, but that the place was lined with booby traps and explosives which they didn't know how to avoid.
In fact, the days after Schalit was captured, Israel began numerous airstrikes against Gaza in an attempt to release him.

Toby Katz,
October 23, 2011 3:11 PM

the Arabs would have shot him

Alan S wrote: "If Shalit's hiding place was known, you can bet that a rescue attempt would have been made. "
I believe that Shalit's hiding place was known but his captors had arranged things so that the moment any rescue was attempted, they would immediately shoot him--even if they themselves also immediately died in a hail of Israeli bullets. The Israelis couldn't figure out a rescue plan that wouldn't result in his death. As satisfying as it might have been to kill his captors, the goal was to bring him home alive, not to bring his body home.
If there was any possible way to rescue him, the Israelis would have done it.

(1)
Laurie,
October 23, 2011 10:11 AM

still waiting

I'm still waiting for AISH to print an opinion piece that represents the 80% of the Israeli public that agreed with the decision to bring Gilad home.
We made this agreement because we are strong. Because we are moral. Because there was a right and a wrong here, and the right thing to do was to pay a price to bring back our soldier.
The Arabs have never stopped trying to kidnap soldiers. They have never stopped trying to murder innocent Israelis. Nothing will happen that wouldn't have happened otherwise due to the terrorists' release.
What will happen is that the Israeli public will understand that their nation, their government and their people will stand behind any Israeli who is victimized by the Arabs as they wage their terror campaign. We will take risks to ensure that, ultimately, we do the right thing.
AISH, you've printed three opinion pieces that disagree with the Shalit agreement. It's time to print a piece that supports the agreement. Polls show that 80% of Israelis support the agreement so it's reasonable to present this opinion as well.

Sharon,
October 23, 2011 2:46 PM

right and wrong

Most Torah minded people would probably opin against the Shalit deal based on Torah principles and precedent cases. ( I am also aware of thehalachic case in favor but it is much less prevalent and convincing.) Torah teaches us to think with our heads and not get swept away in a media hype which uses emotional slogans and throws reason out the back door. This deal makes me ashamed to be an Israeli.

Laurie,
October 24, 2011 9:28 AM

Torah-minded people

I live in a very Torah-based community and the vast majority of the people here supported the deal and were relieved to see it take place.
Rabbi Ovidiah Yosef, this generation's Sepharadi Torah sage, approved the agreement which led to Shas's support in the cabinet (and it's government approval). I didn't hear any other Torah sage speak out against the agreement.
Again, the percentage of Israelis and Jews throughout the world who support this agreement is high enough that AISH should include their reasoning when deciding which articles to print. This point of view should be represented, even if AISH editors don't agree with it.

DAVID from Bat Ayin,
October 27, 2011 3:11 PM

Narcistic celebration

Laurie typical sums up the problem in Israel, people claiming their moral superiorty . Meanwhile the courts here are a joke, the government is corrupt and based on cronism, while the country is run by a bunch of mafiosi style bilionairs, who gouch us with us with high prices. This whole Shalit affair was a very carefull orchestrated media affair, denying the overall weakness and apathy of the IDF and other state controlled institutions. THis whole swap shows an fast declining deterent and victory of barbaric killers, who want nothing else but to destroy us. While Israelis are hooked on their brainless reality shows and are manipulated by a ruthless secular media Our enemies are celebrating and are planning more savage attacks on civilians. Soldiers are supposed to protect civilians, now we see a reversed situation were civilians protect their soldiers. The problem lies with the perverted creation of the so-called Isaeli identity, which denies its Jewish roots and Torah based foundation. In essence the articles of Aish are correct in their criticism. There is no mentioning of the pain inflicted on the survivors, who see heartless killers of their loved ones walk away free. As usual we will pay a price in blood, while many among us celebrate a defeat nicely wrapped up in a "moral" victory.

My nephew is having his bar mitzvah and I am thinking of a gift. In the old days, the gift of choice was a fountain pen, then a Walkman, and today an iPod. But I want to get him something special. What do you suggest?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Since this event celebrates the young person becoming obligated in the commandments, the most appropriate gift is, naturally, one that gives a deeper understanding of the Jewish heritage and enables one to better perform the mitzvot! (An iPod, s/he can get anytime.)

With that in mind, my favorite gift idea is a tzedakah (charity) box. Every Jew should have a tzedakah box in his home, so he can drop in change on a regular basis. The money can then be given to support a Jewish school or institution -- in your home town or in Israel (every Jews’ “home town”). There are beautiful tzedakah boxes made of wood and silver, and you can see a selection here.

For boys, a really beautiful gift is a pair of tefillin, the black leather boxes which contain parchments of Torah verses, worn on the bicep and the head. Owning a pair of Tefillin (and wearing them!) is an important part of Jewish identity. But since they are expensive (about $400), not every Bar Mitzvah boy has a pair. To make sure you get kosher Tefillin, see here.

In 1944, the Nazis perpetrated the Children's Action in the Kovno Ghetto. That day and the next, German soldiers conducted house-to-house searches to round up all children under age 12 (and adults over 55) -- and sent them to their deaths at Fort IX. Eventually, the Germans blew up every house with grenades and dynamite, on suspicion that Jews might be in hiding in underground bunkers. They then poured gasoline over much of the former ghetto and incinerated it. Of the 37,000 Jews in Kovno before the Holocaust, less than 10 percent survived. One of the survivors was Rabbi Ephraim Oshri, who later published a stirring collection of rabbinical responsa, detailing his life-and-death decisions during the Holocaust. Also on this date, in 1937, American Jews held a massive anti-Nazi rally in New York City's Madison Square Garden.

In a letter to someone who found it difficult to study Torah, the 20th century sage the Chazon Ish wrote:

"Some people find it hard to be diligent in their Torah studies. But the difficulty persists only for a short while - if the person sincerely resolves to submerge himself in his studies. Very quickly the feelings of difficulty will go away and he will find that there is no worldly pleasure that can compare with the pleasure of studying Torah diligently."

Although actions generally have much greater impact than thoughts, thoughts may have a more serious effect in several areas.

The distance that our hands can reach is quite limited. The ears can hear from a much greater distance, and the reach of the eye is much farther yet. Thought, however, is virtually limitless in its reach. We can think of objects millions of light years away, and so we have a much greater selection of improper thoughts than of improper actions.

Thought also lacks the restraints that can deter actions. One may refrain from an improper act for fear of punishment or because of social disapproval, but the privacy of thought places it beyond these restraints.

Furthermore, thoughts create attitudes and mindsets. An improper action creates a certain amount of damage, but an improper mindset can create a multitude of improper actions. Finally, an improper mindset can numb our conscience and render us less sensitive to the effects of our actions. We therefore do not feel the guilt that would otherwise come from doing an improper act.

We may not be able to avoid the occurrence of improper impulses, but we should promptly reject them and not permit them to dwell in our mind.

Today I shall...

make special effort to avoid harboring improper thoughts.

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